Ralph of Longueville, panel 2

Window: nIII (Miracle Window: Pilgrimage and Healing)
Panel: 33
In the story’s second scene, Ralph leaves Canterbury to return home. As he exits the gate, he finds that his leprosy is gone. He looks
up and holds his hands out in thanksgiving, and his horse looks up as well, as if it too is amazed by the miracle.

This panel is extremely well-preserved, with Ralph’s head being the only significant replacement. Ralph’s horse is beautifully rendered, as is the city of Canterbury with the cathedral within its walls.
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Linked panels

This panel is part of a set
The Leper Ralph of Longueville

Inscription

Visible in the panel
  • InscriptionSpe recreante re[di]t, r[e]deunti, lepra recedit
  • TranslationHope recreated, he returns, as he returns, the leprosy goes away

Panel details

  • CVMA identificationnIII.33
  • Creation dateca.1213-1220

Source text

Benedict of Peterborough, Miracles of St Thomas Becket

book IV, chapter 3

He promised to go to Jerusalem for the love of the martyr. Of all the bread by which he was fed, he would make three alms. He would fast on Lenten fare twice in the week: namely, on Tuesday, the day the martyr was killed, and on Friday, the day Christ was crucified. Also, as a mark of his devoted servitude, he would redeem his own head from the saint by an annual offering of four pennies. He remained at Canterbury for nine days. Each day, he drank and washed with the holy water, and he left improved. But we hoped a better end would result from this good beginning, and we strongly urged him as he was going to consider returning when he was fully cleansed. He promised to do so. And it happened that as he went, he was cleansed.

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